Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson represented the team during Sunday’s WNBA Draft lottery. The Sparks had a 44.2% chance to win the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, however, like this year, they missed the chance.
Jackson’s reaction to the Sparks being announced as the winner of the No. 2 pick immediately went viral. An Instagram user by the handle “@elsewhere009” went on to post a troll comment directed at the Sparks forward.
“Poor Rickea…it is like Cardoso making the 3-pt shot all over again!” said the troll.
Rickea Jackson had a blunt response to the comment. “BLOCKED!” she said.
NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA DEFEATS NO. 5 TENNESSEE ON A BUZZER-BEATER 🔥
Kamilla Cardoso’s first career three-pointer keeps the Gamecocks undefeated on the season.
🎥 @GamecockWBBpic.twitter.com/9hemweOa39
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 10, 2024
AYOOOO back off my girl that’s a violation 💀 pic.twitter.com/d8RLNXtm8y
— Rickea’s #1 fan (@hdjehdhehs) November 17, 2024
The troll’s comment targeting the Sparks star was a reference to the 2024 SEC tournament semifinals between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso, who was the Gamecocks’ star player back then, drained an improbable buzzer-beating three-point shot to secure the 74-73 win over Jackson’s Volunteers.
NO. 1 SOUTH CAROLINA DEFEATS NO. 5 TENNESSEE ON A BUZZER-BEATER 🔥
Kamilla Cardoso’s first career three-pointer keeps the Gamecocks undefeated on the season.
🎥 @GamecockWBBpic.twitter.com/9hemweOa39
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 10, 2024
Cardoso was a hesitant outside shooter and had not scored a three-pointer until that one she made against Tennessee. Her game-winning shot back then turned to be a heartbreaker for Jackson, and it is a sore spot that the troll deliberately brought up following the Sparks’ failure to win the No. 1 pick in next year’s WNBA Draft.
Los Angeles also had a chance to win the No. 1 pick last year, but it went to the Indiana Fever, and thus they got Caitlin Clark. The Sparks instead drafted Cameron Brink at No. 2, and then Rickea Jackson at No. 4.
The Dallas Wings are expected to pick UConn star Paige Bueckers as their No. 1 pick next year. The Sparks reportedly wanted Bueckers so they could build their Brink-Jackson core, but with the results of the draft, they might instead pick USC forward Kiki Iriafen.
Rickea Jackson’s LA Sparks have great options with the No. 2 draft pick
Rickea Jackson isn’t likely teaming up with Paige Bueckers next season since the LA Sparks didn’t win the No. 1 pick. However, they still have considerably good options with No. 2
The aforementioned Kiki Iriafen could form a formidable frontline trio with Jackson and Cameron Brink. If Iriafen raises her stock enough to become a formidable contender for Bueckers’ spot as the de facto No. 1 draft pick, then LA’s No. 2 pick gains even more value.
The Sparks could also consider looking at Notre Dame’s star senior Olivia Miles. The 5-foot-10 guard led the NCAA in assists during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. In her four games with the Fighting Irish so far this year, she is averaging 18.3 points on 46.6% field shooting, including 47.4% from the three-point area.
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